In order to help accurately represent 1940s era Cuba, Javier Mariscal undertook an extensive research trip to Cuba and was able to view government archive photographs from 1949.
Chano Pozo (real name: Luciano Pozo González) was a real-life Cuban musician who emigrated to New York. He was murdered in December 3, 1948, in the El Rio Bar in Harlem, in a dispute over a marijuana deal, as depicted in the film.
The first Spanish animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
The geography of Havana is as exact as can be to the real life layout of the city. All the buildings are the actual buildings.
Chico is very fortunate to be able to go back to the USA as he was deported from the USA for drug crimes. People deported from the USA must wait a set period of time (usually five, ten, or 20 years) before applying for a re-entry visa. Some people a given a permanent ban e.g. aliens convicted of an aggravated felony (such as illicit trafficking in a controlled substance).